Pharmacology Chapter 3: Sympathomimetic Drugs

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of adrenergic agents?

Decrease bronchial constriction

Increase heart rate and blood pressure (correct)

Block the normal function of the sympathetic system

Relax airway smooth muscle

Which of the following is a characteristic of catecholamines?

They are used for local bronchodilation

They have a common basic chemical structure (correct)

They are used for systemic vasodilation

They are not destroyed by digestive enzymes

What is the primary effect of norepinephrine on the heart?

Increase heart rate (correct)

Increase blood pressure

Decrease heart rate

Decrease cardiac output

What is the primary effect of phenylephrine on the body?

Local or systemic vasoconstriction Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of sympatholytics?

Block the normal function of the sympathetic system Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary effect of beta blockers on the heart?

Decrease heart rate Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a sympatholytic drug?

Propranolol Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary effect of alpha blockers on the body?

Vasodilation Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of parasympatholytics on heart rate?

Increase in heart rate Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a sympathomimetic drug?

Norepinephrine Signup and view all the answers

What is the mechanism of indirect acting sympathomimetics?

Inhibit the reuptake and enzyme deactivation of norepinephrine Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of COMT in the life cycle of norepinephrine?

Breakdown of norepinephrine Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of sympathomimetics on bronchial smooth muscle?

Bronchodilation Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an anticholinergic drug?

Atropine Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of parasympatholytics on the airways?

Bronchodilation Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of reuptake in the life cycle of norepinephrine?

Termination of norepinephrine action Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for drugs that stimulate or mimic the parasympathetic system?

Cholinergics Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following drugs blocks or inhibits the sympathetic system?

Anti-adrenergics Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of stimulation of one system on the other system?

It counteracts the other system Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for drugs that stimulate or mimic the sympathetic system?

Adrenergics Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following drugs stimulates or mimics the parasympathetic system?

Muscarinics Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for drugs that block or inhibit the parasympathetic system?

Anti-cholinergics Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between the two systems in terms of balance?

They work together to achieve balance Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a characteristic of medications in terms of the two systems?

They may stimulate one system more than the other Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Sympathomimetic Drugs

Sympathomimetic drugs can be classified into two subgroups: catecholamines and noncatecholamines.
Catecholamines include dobutamine, dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine, which have a common basic chemical structure and are destroyed by digestive enzymes if ingested orally.
Noncatecholamines, such as phenylephrine and albuterol, are used for local or systemic vasoconstriction and bronchodilation.

Sympathomimetic Effects

Sympathomimetics stimulate the sympathetic system, increasing heart rate (HR), causing pupil dilation, increasing blood flow, and promoting bronchodilation.

Types of Sympathomimetics

Direct acting sympathomimetics stimulate the release of norepinephrine (NE).
Indirect acting sympathomimetics prevent the deactivation of NE by inhibiting reuptake and enzyme deactivation.

Norepinephrine (NE) Life Cycle

NE must be broken down through reuptake, COMT, and MOA.

Sympatholytic Drugs

Sympatholytics block the normal function of the sympathetic system, decreasing HR, causing bronchoconstriction, and inducing atrioventricular blockade.
Sympatholytics can have specific adrenergic receptor blockers, such as beta blockers and alpha blockers.

Parasympatholytic Drugs

Parasympatholytics block ACh stimulation of the parasympathetic receptors, increasing HR and causing bronchodilation.
Parasympatholytics are pharmacologic antagonists of the parasympathetic system and include anti-muscarinics, such as atrovent and atropine.

ANS Drug Terminology

Cholinergics, parasympathomimetics, and muscarinics stimulate or mimic the parasympathetic system.
Anti-cholinergics, parasympatholytics, and anti-muscarinics block or inhibit the parasympathetic system.
Adrenergics and sympathomimetics stimulate or mimic the sympathetic system.
Anti-adrenergics and sympatholytics block or inhibit the sympathetic system.
Stimulation of one system will counter the other system, and both systems work to maintain balance. Medications may stimulate one system more than the other.

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Description

This quiz covers the subgroups of sympathomimetic drugs, including adrenergic agents and catecholamines. Learn about dobutamine, dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine, and their chemical structures.